CommRadio Weekly Playlist: Sept. 2

Here, members of the Arts and Entertainment Department will talk about the songs that dominated their playlists during the week and what makes them so good.

“Stardust” - ZAYN

It seems to have gone under the radar with all the new music out this summer but Zayn is back and better than ever.

His latest single, “Stardust,” is from his new album “Room Under The Stairs,” and it is the epitome of love and joy.

The track has a fun upbeat melody accompanied by Zayn’s incredible and comforting vocals that make you want to frolic and dance around in a field.

The lyrics dive into his encounters with new love and how it can find you in the most random places.

He sings, “Feel like stardust/ Floatin' all around us/ Shootin' right across a/ Big black sky/ Feels like stardust/ Fallin' all around us/ Funny how it found us.”

There is an unexpected guitar solo right before the last chorus and it really allows any tension in the song to break and lets the listener be free and makes you feel exhilarated throughout the end.

It is truly the perfect song for this sunny, low 70’s weather we are having in State College so I couldn’t recommend it more. -Madison Rush

Kernkraft 400 - Zombie Nation

I’m the last person to be writing an article about music. I couldn’t tell you the last time I willingly listened to music that wasn’t Spotify’s Study Playlist 2024.

So, why is somebody who doesn’t know anything about music a part of this week’s Weekly Playlist? It is simply because football returns to Beaver Stadium this week, which means its time to see one of the best entrances in all of College Football.

Moments before kickoff on Saturday, 107,000 fans will rise from the bleachers of Beaver Stadium to help welcome the 2024 Nittany Lions home for the first time. Those fans will jam out to Zombie Nation’s Kernkraft 400, and will fill the silence of the song with chants of “We Are Penn State.”

So, in short, I know nothing about the song and even less about music. But, I’m excited about football and I willingly listen to Kernkraft 400 more times than I’d like to admit. -Justin Ciavolella

“Die with a Smile” – Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga

Ladies and gentlemen, I can proudly say that pop music is officially back.

Ever since this song was released, my roommate and I have not been able to turn it off.

Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga combined for a truly beautiful and romantic single that reminds you to just enjoy the little things in life, because “nobody’s promised tomorrow.”

The two songwriters have such incredible harmony together that it makes you wonder why they haven’t worked together ever before.

The slow build-up to the chorus is followed by the rushing of the drums before the beat finally drops, as Mars and Gaga take you on a mesmerizing journey throughout this entire track.

The part of the song where they harmonize together is picture perfect, with Gaga providing a soothing background as there’s almost a raspiness that comes from the voice of Mars.

Perhaps Mars being criminally in debt was just what the music industry needed if that means we’re going to keep getting this soulful side of his musical talents. -Joshua Bartosik

“Harvest Moon” - Neil Young

With the upcoming turn of the season, there’s no better time to play Neil Young’s 1992 title track off the album Harvest Moon. Young has several projects that embody the feeling of a chill autumn day, and Harvest Moon has no lack of the fall spirit.

In the single, “Harvest Moon,” Young writes a story of, well I’m not too sure, to be honest. Young has never made it very clear what any of his songs are about, he just loves to sing. If you care enough to dissect the lyrics, you’ll listen as Young tells the story of his love for another woman, in which the harvest moon in the night plays a crucial role.

Neil Young loves the moon, and he loves to sing about the harvest. He has one album named “Harvest” and 20 years later, he released another album called “Harvest Moon.” If you’re enthusiastic about the chill of fall, and the changing of the leaves, you have a lot in common with Neil Young. -Sketch Morton

“Good Graces” - Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter recently released her newest album, “Short n’ Sweet,” and it is nothing short of greatness. One song that has truly stood out to me is “Good Graces,” which is track three on the album.

“Good Graces” makes me want to get up and dance around my room. I could truly listen to this song over and over again, and I have.

The chorus is by far the best part of the song, having a catchy beat that I can’t seem to get out of my head.

One of my favorite lines in “Good Graces” is in the second verse, where Carpenter sings “I’ll tell the world you finish your chores prematurely / Break my heart and I swear I’m movin’ on with your favorite athlete.”

Carpenter is known to often insert silly lyrics into her songs, and that’s what makes her so relatable.

The entirety of “Short n’ Sweet” is amazing, but I’ll be listening to “Good Graces” on repeat for a very long time. -Sarah Gavlak

Madison Rush is a third-year majoring in public relations. To contact her, email mkr5957@psu.edu.

Justin Ciavolella is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email justinciavolella@gmail.com or jtc5751@psu.edu.

Joshua Bartosik is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jsb6137@psu.edu.

Sketch Morton is a fifth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sam7539@psu.edu.

Sarah Gavlak is a third-year majoring in telecommunications. To contact her, please email sng5393@psu.edu.